DOG ARTHRITIS

Carprofen is the active ingredient in Rimadyl, one of a class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is an effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for dogs with osteoarthritis and for relieving pain after surgery. This product is available only with a veterinary prescription.

Cosequin contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate. These substances help rebuild joint cartilage in dogs suffering from arthritis. Adding these ingredients to a dog's food allows damaged joints to be rebuilt and helps reverse the process of arthritis.

Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. It commonly occurs in dogs as a result of wear and tear on a joint from years of running, jumping and walking. This causes the cartilage, which cushions the impact on the joint, to wear away so that the bones are able to rub on each other. This can be very painful.

Many owners become aware of their ageing dog's development of osteoarthritis slowly over time. Whilst some animals will suffer an acute injury which will result in arthritic changes in a specific joint, many cases of osteoarthritis are a result of chronic wear-and-tear and are age-related changes in the dog┐s joints. Dog arthritis has common presenting symptoms which include lameness which is often worse in the mornings or after a rest, reluctance to exercise, or reduced exercise capacity due to lameness, stiffening gait, difficulty rising or walking up stairs and pain.